Curious George: A Very Monkey ChristmasNovember 26 at 8:00 am and 2:00 pm; November 27 at 2:00 pm; November 28 at 2:00 pm December 17 at 2:00 pm and December 25 at 8:00 am and 2:00 pm.
Join George and The Man with the Yellow Hat as they count down the days until Christmas. There’s only one puzzle: neither of them can figure out what to give the other for a present. The Man is having trouble reading George’s wish list and George doesn’t have a clue about what to get for the Man who has everything. Maybe you can help!

“Daniel’s Winter Adventure” – Daniel, Dad, Prince Wednesday and Prince Tuesday are all going sledding! But once they get to the hill and see how tall it is, Daniel and Prince Wednesday get scared. Dad assures them that if they try it a little bit at a time, they might surprise themselves and have a great time. Later, Daniel ice-skates for the first time. When he tries it a little bit at a time, he realizes it is not so hard.

“Neighborhood Nutcracker” – Daniel is going to see a show called The Nutcracker Ballet! Once he arrives at the performance, he finds out that Prince Wednesday is sick and needs Daniel to fill in for him and dance on stage. Daniel is reluctant at first, but realizes that if he learns the steps a little bit at a time, he can dance the Nutcracker and the show will go on! Strategy: If something seems hard to do, try it a little bit at a time.

Elmo’s Christmas CountdownTuesday, December 23 at 7:00 am; Wednesday, December 24 at 7:00 am; Thursday, December 25 at 9:00 am and Friday, December 26 at 7:00 am.

There’s a miracle on Sesame Street in this special holiday tale. Elmo, Abby Cadabby, and their new friend Stiller the Elf (voice of Ben Stiller) are going to count down to Christmas with the Christmas Counter-Downer. But all the counting boxes have gone missing and Christmas may never come again! Can Elmo, Abby, and Stiller the Elf save Christmas? With the help of very special guests Sheryl Crow, Jamie Foxx, Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Brad Paisley,Ty Pennington, Steve Schirripa, Tony Sirico, and Kevin James (as Santa Claus), Elmo and friends will learn to believe in Christmas miracles. Featuring: “Elmo’s World: Happy Holidays!” Today Elmo is thinking about… Christmas! Join Elmo as he visits Santa and learns all about the Christmas spirit and celebrating with family and friends. Educational

“The Hanukkah Problem” – When Albert Einstein invites Peg and Cat over for Hanukkah, he shows them how to make a 2D piece of paper into a 3D dreidel. Later, they need to use this process to bring peace to Al’s home and save his Hanukkah.

“The Christmas Problem” – When Santa Claus is in trouble, Peg and Cat have to solve their biggest problem ever: how to make and wrap presents for all the children of the world, and then deliver them using 100 sleighs.

“The Penguin Problem” – Peg and Cat coach a team of skiing penguins, who would have a shot at the Olympic gold medal if only they knew “over,” “under,” and “in between.”

“Duncan The Humbug” – Everyone is happy at Christmastime except Duncan, the Scottish narrow gauge engine, who seems to be grumbling even more than usual. Victor offers Duncan a new coat of paint if he can refrain from grumbling for one whole day. Duncan rises to the challenge, but it is not so easy for an engine who likes to grumble to give up a lifetime habit.

“The Perfect Gift” – The whole island is celebrating Christmas and there are decorations everywhere. But it doesn’t look very Christmas-y at the scrap yard. Percy starts to worry that Reg is missing out and he tries to find something to give Reg to cheer him up. But Reg only seems happy about scrap. Percy discovers that Reg is celebrating Christmas in his own way and has been making decorations from the scrap.

“Last Train for Christmas” – It’s Christmas Eve and a lot of passengers are coming home to Sodor for the holiday. Connor can’t carry all the passengers who are trying to get on his train. He promises to come back and pick them up, but the snow keeps falling and the engines are struggling to keep the tracks clear. It becomes a race against time, and the engines have to work together to clear the tracks and get the passengers home in time for Christmas.

“Long Lost Friend” – Gator returns to the Island of Sodor after being away for a long time. He is looking forward to seeing his old friend Percy. When Percy hears that Gator is back, he is very excited and immediately heads off to see him. But the two engines keep missing each other. They both have doubts they’ll see each other, but finally they connect and have a wonderful reunion.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Tuesday, November 25 at 8 pm and Thursday, November 27 at 9:30 pm.
It also repeats on Tuesday, December 2 at 10 pm. Narrated by the late Ossie Davis, this a fantasy trip through the magic of Christmas. A runaway little girl decides to return to her family after she enters a rundown theater for shelter and encounters an old caretaker (Davis), who guides her on her journey. The caretaker brings the theater to life through musical performances by singers Jewel, Michael Crawford and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Celtic Woman: Home for Christmas
Thursday, November 27 at 8:00 pm and repeats Tuesday, December 9 at 7:00 pm. Internationally renowned for alluring stage productions and songs of heartwarming inspiration, Home For Christmas reveals for Celtic Woman what will be their newest chapter of musical enchantment to be enjoyed by the entire family. Home For Christmas stars vocalists Lisa Lambe, Susan McFadden, Meav Ni Mhaolchatha and Celtic violinist Mairead Nesbitt, performing timeless holiday favorites (“Silent Night,” I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear,” “Joy To The World”) with their signature Celtic twist under the distinct musical direction of Emmy-nominated music producer, David Downes.

Renee Fleming – Christmas in New York
Thursday, December 4 at 8:00 pm and repeats Tuesday, December 9 at 8:30 pm.
The essence of the city during the most wonderful time of year is captured in a series of intimate and unique musical performances on Christmas in New York. For this holiday special, American soprano Renee Fleming and special guests bring the iconic Christmas season in New York to homes across America. Live musical performances, interviews and scenes filmed around the city during the holidays make this an unforgettable musical experience.

National Christmas Tree Lighting 2014
Tuesday, December 16 at 9:00 pm.
This special promises to include appearances and performances by some of the most recognizable names in entertainment. The evening’s festivities will be capped off with the ceremonial lighting of the National Christmas Tree, which is traditionally handled by the President and First Family. Tuesday, December

Joshua Bell Presents Musical Gifts
Tuesday, December 16 at 10:00 pm
In celebration of the release of his album, Musical Gifts, world-renowned violinist Joshua Bell welcomed cameras into his elegant Manhattan residence for a rare and intimate concert. JOSHUA BELL PRESENTS MUSICAL GIFTS recreates Bell’s personal tradition of hosting friends and family at his home during the holidays. The salon-style performance captures the warmth, beauty and magic of the season. The 10-song set list features holiday standards, including “An Old-Fashioned Christmas” with opera star Renee Fleming, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” with pianist and vocalist Frankie Moreno, Jimmy Van Heusen/Sammy Cahn’s “The Secret of Christmas” with Michael Feinstein, “Let it Snow” with guitarist/violinist Rob Moose, and a heartwarming rendition of “Silent Night” by the Young People’s Chorus of New York. Bell also performs two classical pieces – “Devil’s Trill Sonata” and “Polonaise Brillante” – alongside pianist Frederic Chlu.

Great Performances “Rejoice with Itzhak Perlman and Cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot“Thursday, December 18 at 9:00 pm
Legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman and celebrated cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot join forces for a musical exploration of liturgical and traditional works in new arrangements for both chamber orchestra and klezmer settings. The music of Rejoice showcases the confluences between the violinist’s famed classical technique and Helfgot’s magnificent voice.

Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir featuring Deborah Voigt and John Rhys
Friday, December 19 at 8:00 pm and Thursday, December 25 at 9:00 pm
Soprano Deborah Voigt and acclaimed British actor John Rhys-Davies join the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for a Christmas concert of holiday favorites.

Christmas in Norway with the St. Olaf ChoirFriday, December 19 at 9:00 pm
This Christmas special was filmed in Trondheim, Norway’s magnificent Nidaros Dom cathedral, one of the oldest Gothic cathedrals in the world. Featured performers include the renowned voices of the St. Olaf Choir, the premier mixed voice choral ensemble from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, conducted by Anton Armstrong and Jentekor, the girl choir of Nidaros conducted by Anita Brevik.

Christmas in Alsace with Chef Hubert Keller
Saturday, December 20 at 4:30 pm
It’s a Christmas celebration with star chef Hubert Keller who is taking viewers on a special culinary journey to his homeland of Alsace. Visit the area’s famed Christmas markets and its top culinary hotspots. Highlights include: A tour through the beautiful village where Chef Keller grew up and its medieval Christmas market; stops at Chef Keller’s favorite cheese store and restaurant, plus an Alsatian winery; A finale at a spectacular Christmas dinner attended by Chef Keller’s family and friends.

Chef’s Life Holiday SpecialSaturday, December 20 at 5:30 pm
Delectable fudge. Crispy peanut brittle. Gooey chocolate-covered cherries. Old-fashioned caramels. It’s the stuff of holiday memories… with a little bit of a twist. Doing what she knows best, Chef Vivian Howard hosts her own vision of the season’s celebrations in this one-hour special – exploring holiday traditions, Kinston, NC style. A Chef’s Life Holiday Special invites viewers to join in one of the most charming and delicious celebrations of the season. “Deck the Halls Ya’all!”

First Silent NightSunday, December 21 at 2:00 pm
“The First Silent Night tells viewers a tale that has been two hundred years in the making. A story that begins in humble circumstances and ends with the creation of the world’s most popular carol.” For close to two hundred years, one carol has occupied the heart of Christmas celebrations across the world. It has been translated into over 300 languages, performed by Symphony orchestras and celebrated international artists and soloists. Almost every Christmas music release annually includes a new recording of Silent Night. This holiday melody has echoed through the world’s shopping centres, exciting the minds of children. Its lullaby strains have drifted across battlefields, calming the hearts of warring nations. No composition, in the history of carols, can be said to have united so many people in the joys and meaning of Christmas. Join renowned actor Simon Callow as he uncovers the moving origins of Silent Night. Simon journeys to the Austrian village of Oberndorf as well the city of Salzburg, where the story of the world’s favourite carol had its origins.

Christmas Carol: The ConcertSunday, December 21 at 3:00 pm
“A Christmas Carol: The Concert” is a unique musical and television event — the first time Dickens’ classic tale has been adapted for a live orchestral concert with choir and soloists, and performed for audiences in a concert setting. The stirring score recalls Broadway classics, and is filled with memorable, haunting and rousing songs. The story, quite faithfully and skillfully adapted by Broadway’s Alisa Hauser, is dazzlingly performed by leading lights from the Chicago and New York theater world, including Michael Aaron Lindner and E. Faye Butler. Directed for the stage by Tony-Award winning Lookingglass Theatre Company’s David Kersnar, lit and designed by 4-time Emmy Award-winner Todd L. Clark, and produced for television by the 17- time Emmy Award-winning creative team at HMS Media, “A Christmas Carol: The Concert” is a celebration of classic storytelling and ensemble performances which provide audiences with both the comforts of a classic tale and the thrill of seeing and hearing it told like never before.

Call the Midwife Holiday SpecialThursday, December 25 at 7:00 pm
Rehearsals for the Sunday School Christmas concert are underway, creating inconvenience for the nuns and nurses of Nonnatus House. Two unmarried patients are dispatched to York Lodge, a badly managed home for pregnant women. Chummy takes over running the facility after an outbreak of chicken pox there. Dr. Turner treats a destitute older couple, former residents of a mental hospital closed under the mental health reforms. As residents of Nonnatus welcome the New Year, the question on everyone’s mind is, what will 1960 bring?

Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choirfeaturing Deborah Voigt and John Rhys
Thursday, December 25 at 9:00 pm
Soprano Deborah Voigt and acclaimed British actor John Rhys-Davies join the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for a Christmas concert of holiday favorites.

KLRU has numerous specials for the family to enjoy together this holiday season!

Thomas & Friends:King of the Railway airs Saturday, November 16 at 9 am.
Join Thomas & Friends as they embark on a legendary adventure! The steam team’s quest begins when a special guest arrives on Sodor with a big surprise and important jobs for Thomas, Percy and James. The engines meet new friends and discover suits of armor; coats of arms and legends of long-ago heroes. Then their bravery is put to the test when their new friend Stephen goes missing. Will Thomas find him in time? Will the engines discover the truth about the Island of Sodor’s biggest mystery? It’s a crusade of knightly proportions for Thomas & Friends in this epic special!

Martha Speaks ”Martha’s Thanksgiving” airs November 25th and November 28th at at 6:30 am and 5 pm
In this special episode, Martha searches for her long-lost canine family as Helen’s extended family comes together for Thanksgiving.